Air Commodore William Henry 'Bull' Garing (Rtd), CBE, DFC, DSC died on New Years Day.

Group Captain Bill Garing was nicknamed "Bull" for his voice, not his size.
He was a small powerfully built man, from Corryong, Victoria, whose
abilities resulted in his being one of the most highly qualified airmen in
the RAAF. Garing won the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in July 1940, when
he flew his heavy Sunderland flying boat of 10 Squadron RAAF so aggressively
that he broke up a determined attack by a formation of German bombers on the
SS Mooltan. When war came to New Guinea, Garing was the Senior Air Staff
Officer at HQ North Eastern Area, at Townsville. During the decisive defeat
of the Japanese invasion at Milne Bay, Garing took command of the RAAF units
there and made it clear that there would be no retreat by the Australians.
General Kenney, of the US Army Air Force, found a kindred spirit in Garing
and together they worked to provide the maximum effectiveness from the weak
Allied air forces.

Perhaps Garing's greatest contribution was in February 1943. From July 1942,
Japanese ship convoys had successfully made the voyage from Rabaul to the
north coast ports and landing places on New Guinea, despite numerous attacks
by Allied aircraft. The available Australian and US land forces were
exhausted after the campaigns at Kokoda, Buna, Gona and Milne Bay.

In January 1943, a convoy from Rabaul to Lae arrived and unloaded, then
returned, despite fierce air attacks, for the loss of only one ship. After
this success by the Japanese, Garing finally prevailed upon his US
counterparts to gather a single powerful strike force, rather than send out
small numbers as soon as a few aircraft were available. Two practice
formation assemblies and simulated attack flights were made in late February
1943.

In March 1943, the next Japanese convoy to Lae was destroyed, in what became
known as the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. All eight transport ships were sunk
and four of the eight escorting destroyers also were sunk. The Japanese
never again sent such a convoy, but were forced to rely on submarines,
barges, and fast destroyers to make supply voyages. The balance of power in
the region had changed; that change had been brought about by the use of
concentrated air power; that concentration had been brought about by the
presence, knowledge and expertise of Bill Garing.


Lest we forget.